Versatile and capable, worth a look if the flexibility and cheaper price are important

For

Supports 24bit 192kHz files

choice of inputs

doubles as headphone amp

sound is detailed and dynamic

Against

Lacks refinement

sounds clinical

Reviewed on 3rd November 2011

Matrix Electronics has ploughed plenty of technology into the thin chassis of its Mini i. Looking not unlike an old soundcard that you might have slid in to the back of a tower PC, the Matrix Mini i also doubles as a headphone amplifier.

As well as the headphone connection and volume control on the front you’ll notice the LCD panel with Knightrider-inspired colour-scheme. The display tells you the volume, sample rate of your music file and the input in use.

Make sure you run it inThe Matrix took a long time to get going. But a good couple of days of running in saw the Mini i improve from a slow start to a very listenable sound. It’s a little clinical and cold – even once warmed-up – but there’s good detail and decent scale.

Playing Linn’s hi-res recordings in ‘DAC mode’ shows the Matrix capable of stirring dynamics, too. We switch to ‘Pre mode’ to turn on and try the headphone output and tracks are intimate and insightful, if still a little rigid.